


“Blanco tequilas are unaged and come out clear. "The difference between blanco, añejo, and reposado is the aging process,” describes Dylan Alpaugh, the general manager of Sophia's Lounge. This deterioration will happen more quickly if the tequila cap is not tight or the bottle is exposed to extreme temperatures and bright, direct light. Once open, you may notice some loss in flavor after quite a few years, though it will not spoil like other beverages or food. Like all liquors that do not include a sweetener, an unopened bottle will not go bad. Tequila does not have a shelf life unless it is stored improperly. The margarita is a strong drink, so dilution and small (about 4-ounce) servings are important. This makes 7.5 cups, leaving room in the pitcher for you to adjust the three ingredients to taste, add a sweetener (e.g., simple syrup, agave nectar) without increasing the alcohol, or chill it with ice. For example, in the typical half-gallon (64-ounce) pitcher, you would combine 3.75 cups tequila, 2.5 cups orange liqueur, and 1.25 cup lime juice. When sizing the margarita up to a pitcher, simply increase the ingredients and keep them in proportion. This is adjusted to taste, pouring more triple sec for a sweeter margarita or extra lime to increase the tartness. For instance, the classic margarita formula is three parts tequila, two parts triple sec, and one part lime juice.

It is typically equal to the total volume of the other two ingredients (triple sec and lime juice). How much tequila do you put in a margarita?įor a single margarita, a 1.5-ounce shot of tequila is standard. Gold (or joven) tequila is the only style that can include coloring and flavoring additives. Silver (or blanco) tequila is unaged, but can rest in stainless steel for up to two months. Tequila destined to be reposado or añejo is aged in wood barrels for two months to a few years. The agave juice is fermented and distilled, and the tequila is diluted to bottling strength. By law, tequila must include at least 51 percent Weber blue agave, and the majority of tequilas exclusively use that variety. Tequila is made from the extracted juices of the agave plant. That said, if you’re looking to elevate a cocktail, Aubrey Ruettiger, the beverage directory of Tiny’s Cantina, says, “While many prefer blanco, don’t be shy to experiment with some reposado in your margarita.” I choose these tequilas because the depth of flavor of reposado and añejo tequilas can be dulled by mixing them with juices, syrups, and liqueurs.” “Blanco tequila is my go-to for margaritas or anything citrus-based. Rizo recommends if you’re doing shots, opt for “Blanco, blanco, and more blanco.”īlaze LaRoe, the beverage director at Chikatana, also reaches for blanco in cocktails. How are you sipping your tequila? Pick your bottle accordingly. You can expect to pay an extra $5 to $10 for the reposado and the same for the next step up to an añejo. The blanco will be the least expensive of any tequila's portfolio. However, there are options available, and some of these are rather impressive for the price. Very few 100 percent tequilas will be less than $20. You can usually gauge tequila's quality by the price range. Añejo and extra añejo tequilas are aged the longest and begin to showcase sweeter, vanilla notes with lingering remnants of baking spices”

“Reposado literally translates to ‘rested’ and is lightly aged (at least 2 months, but under 12 months in Euro or American white oak), so the flavor transforms into richer, toastier, and nuttier tones. It should be botanical, crisp, clean, green and earthy, and sometimes herbaceous with citrus oil notes,” describes spirits expert Antoine Hodge. Typically, every tequila brand's portfolio will offer a blanco, reposado, and añejo tequila. It is also important to remember the basic grading system for tequilas. They used the whole heart of blue agave, which is indigenous to the region,” describes Brian Olson, the founder and owner of Café Intermezzo. “While tequila falls under the mezcal category, several distillers around the town of Tequila began distilling a superior form of mezcal. It is easier than ever to find them because almost every tequila brand has realized that this is what drinkers really want.īlue Weber is known as the most elegant expression of tequila. When shopping for tequila, look for these words on the bottle. What to Look for When Buying Tequila 100 Percent Blue Weber Agave If resposado is more your style, we recommend the artisanal Mijenta Tequila Reposado. The beauty of our overall pick, Casamigos Blanco, is that it's smooth and subtle, allowing perfect execution for not only premium cocktails, but straight shots and sippers, too.
